Coin selector for vending machines



Oct' E. W. FRY ET AL COIN SELECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed May 13, 195e 2' sheets-sheet 1 Arroz/VFY Oct. 5', 1937 B. w. FRY ET AL.

COIN SELECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINES 72 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13, 1936 Patented Oct. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Mo., assignors to National Slug Rejectors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application May 13,

Claims.

Our invention relates to a coin selector for vending machines, and has for its primary object to provide a device whereby only genuine coins will be admitted to the vending mechanism of such a machine for the operation thereof. It has been our experience with coin-operated vending machines generally that slugs made of metals other than that employed in genuine coins, but of the same size and shape, will be used to fraudulently operate the vending mechanism. It has also been our experience thatV at times a slug will be inserted in a vending machine which machine employs a small magnet for sorting out slugs of substantial iron or steel content to prevent said slugs from reaching the vending mechanism. Sometimes a slug may also consist of an iron or steel center and a peripheral hoop of lead, zinc, or other like metal which, if permitted to pass the small magnet without being aiected thereby, Will usually cause such a slug to clog the mechanism and render the machine inoperative. We have also found that bent coins, sticky or wet coins, and oversize slugs will also tend to clog the mechanism. It will be understood that whatever tends to render the machine inoperative is a serious detriment, as such machine has to be serviced by someone having means or access to the working parts of said machine in order to remove any clogging coin or slug, and such period of inoperativeness is objectionable to the person in whose establishment said vending machine has been located, and who participates in a division of the intake of said machine.

It has also been our experience with such machines that in order deliberately to clog the vending machine a normally good coin will be drilled transversely and a. small insert of steel or iron securely fitted into the hole thus drilled. Such a mutilated coin so prepared will pass the ordinary selective devices, including thesmall magnet, contained in said machine, if said magnet is pre- Y sented edgewise to said coin, and when it reaches the rather powerful second magnet it will be gripped thereby, due to the steel Vor iron insert, and thus be retained in the chute through which it is progressing toward the vending operating mechanism, thus eifectually blocking the mechanism and rendering the machine inoperative. In order to circumvent the intended eiect of such a 50 prepared coin, we have located a small magnet near the inlet opening through which coins are inserted into the vending machine, which magnet operates upon a side face of the coin, and by virtue of the magnetic attraction of such magnet for the steel or iron insert in the coin, such 1936, serial No. 79,409

(crm-rc1) DEC l. 9 1939 coin is slowed down sumciently to cause it to be automatically discharged from the mechanism at a point more or less above and away from the vending mechanism.

In a. part of our device oversize, bent, or sticky coins or slugs are discharged from the machine without clogging the same by the insertion of a coin through the coin-receiving slot in the machine, or such operation can be manually performed if so desired. 'Ihe-cycle of operation of this part of the mechanism iscompleted andl the parts returned to their normal positions out of the path of travel of the coin immediately following the insertion of said coin through the coin-receiving slot.

In our device we have produced a very simple and compact coin-selective mechanism having relatively few parts and therefore being cheaper to manufacture and service. Vending machines to which our invention relates are those operable by the usual live-cent piece of UnitedStates coin money, generally termed a nickel coin.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of our coin selector device with the upper part only of a vending machine casing in cross-section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, with the diameter plate of the scavenger device and slug, or imperfect coin, discharge chute therebeneath removed from the device.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation taken from the side opposite that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail end View of the elements of the scavenger device in closed position.

Fig. 6 is a detail end view similar to Fig. 5', with the elements of the scavenger device in open or coinor slug-discharging position.`

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the scavenger de-l vice showing the'same in open or coinor slugdischarging position caused by the insertion of a coin in the coin-receiving slot in the vending machine.

A plate lll is mounted Within the Vending machine casing A, upon which plate are mounted the elements comprising our selective device. Near the upper end of the outer Wall of the casing A is a coin slot B, which is adapted to partly receive the slotted member Il provided with a slot. l2 through which a coin C is adapted to be inserted into the machine. Such member Il is attached to the plate l0 by means of the screws I3 which pass through an arm I4 integral with the member Il and are screwed into the plate I0.

tured ears I which abut against two. apertured lugs I1 on the plate Ill, so that the apertures in said ears I5 and said lugs I1 registerforthepurpose of receiving the pin I8 which secures said plate I5 to the plate, III. A. coil spring I3 surrounds this pin I8 with one free end 28 impinging against the plate I0, while the other free end 2I impinges against the outer wall or face of the plate I5 (see Figs. 1 and 1). The spring I8 normally holds the plate I5 in retracted position, as shown most clearly in l and 3.

Near the lower end of the plate l5 and on the inner face thereof is mounted a vertically adjustable, elongated track 22, by means of the two screws 23 which pass through slots 24 in said 'plate I5 (see Figs. l and This track 22 is inclined downwardly from its forward end to its rear end, and serves the function of a track for incoming coins to direct same toward the chute for receiving a coin which, vwhen genuine, will at the proper point in its travel through the mechanism be in position to operate the vending mechanism. The lower inner face of the plate I5 is separated from the inner face of the plate IB just enough to provide clearance 'for a normal coiny (preferably a nickel), Vso that said coin may roll along the downwardly inclined elongated track 22 to reach the proper chute, where, at the proper time, it may be in position to operate the Vending mechanism.

The forward portion ofthe plate I5 extends to within a short distance of the inner face of the iront of the casing A. The upper projection 25 of the plate I5 projects between two rollers. presently to be described, adjacent the coin-receiving slotted member II.l This projection 25 serves to receive the coin as it passes through the coin slot I2 in the member il, so that said coin may drop onto the downwardly inclined, elongated track 22, and if la genuine coin it may progress on through the vending operating mechanism of the machine.

0n the outer edge of the plate I5 somewhat above the median line thereof a roller 25 is mounted by means of a screw 21 passing longitudinally thereof and into the side edge of said plate I5. The purpose of such roller will be hereinafter described.

Pivoted to the inner face of the plate Il! is a scavenger blade 28 held in position by the screw 23. A coil spring 30'fastened to the blade 28 through the opening 3I andto the plate I8 through the opening 32 holds said blade 28 in its uppermost, retracted position, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, The upper movement of said blade 28 is stopped by the projection 33 on the plate. Ill (see Fig. 2). A notch 34 is provided in the upper side of the blade 28 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. The scavenger blade 28 moves in its lowermost position in the space between the plate Il and the plaitle I5 to strik' e any clogged coin caught atthls po t.

To operate the plate .I5 and the scavenger blade 28, we provide a. rocker member 35 having a short arm 35 projecting forwardly and a longer arm 31 projecting rearwardly and pivoted at the juncture of said arms to the plate Ilby the screw 38. In order to permit of a manual'operatlon of this rocker member 35, another upwardly projecting arm 33 is provided to which is attached at 33' a push rod 4I! projecting through thcvending machine casing A just above the coin slot B.

At the forward end of the short arm 35 of the rocker member 35 is a vertically movable roller 4I held in position thereon by the screw 42,. 'Ibis roller 4I projects across the coin slot I2 in the member H. Beneath this roller 4l is another roller 43 secured to the plate Ill by the screw 44, which last-named roller remains `in a fixed position on said plate I0. These two rollers 4I and 43 are separated from each other vertically a space less than the diameter of a five cent The insertion of a coin through the coin slot I2 to produce 'the upward movement of the roller 4I rocks the rocker member 35 about its pivot screw 38. At the outer end of the longer. arm 31 of the rocker member 35 is a cam member 45 having a relatively straight lower edge 45 adapted to engage the scavenger blade 28 in the notch 34 when contact with said blade 28 is made by the downward movement of the longer arm 31 of the rocker member 35. Another cam face 41 of angular shape is on the cam member 45and is adapted to contact the roller 25 on the plate I5. The lower angular portion of said cam face 41 first strikes against the roller 25 after which the upper angular portion moves into engagement with said roller 26. The plate I5 is first moved outwardly before the lower end 45 of the cam member 45 contacts the scavenger blade 28 for downward movement thereof. At the upper portion of the cam member 45 a coll spring 48 is secured at one end, while the opposite end of said spring is secured to the plate Il. The purpose of the spring 48`is'to hold the rocker member 35 in its uppermost position. The cam member 45 projects through an opening 43 in the plate l0 and the upward movement of said cam member is stopped when the upper edge of said member 45 contacts against the inner upper edge of said opening 43.

In addition to the plate I0, we provide another plate 50 which is spaced from said plate I8 a suiiicient distance to provide a passageway for a normal coin, so that it may -reach and pam through the chute 5I to operate the vending mechanism (not shown). The space between the plate 50 and the plate I8 is traversed by the scavenger blade 28.

Beneath the plate I5 is another plate 52 secured to the plate III by the screws 53 to form a chute for the discharge of a. coin or slug which was clogging the regular chute prior to its discharge from the machine. The lower end of `such discharge chute permits the discharge of such undesired coin from the vending machine without its passing through the vending mechanism. v

When a coin is introduced into the vending machine through the coin slots B and I2 it first contacts with the rollers 4| andI 43 immediately adjacent such coin slots. This causes the roller 4I to be moved vertically, thus raising the arm 35 of the rocker member 35 and depressing the arm 31 of said member. This downward movement of the arm 31 carries the cam member 45 at the outer end of said arm 31 downwardly also. and as the inclined edge 41 on said member 45 always is in contact withthe roller 25 on the outer edge of the plate I5, such downward movement of said cam member forces the plate I5 outwardly and away from the plate I8. As the cam member continues to move downwardly the lower edge 45 strikes'against the upper edge of the scavenger blade 28 at the notched portion 34 thereof. The further downward movement of 'I5 the cam member 45 forces the scavenger blade 28 downwardly, which causes it to sweep through the space between the plate 50 and the plate I 0 and the plate l5, thereby dislodging'any coin that may be lodged in such space and causing said coin to be ejected from the machine through the discharge chute provided by the plate I and the plate 52.

As soon as the coin has passed between the rollers 4l and 43, the parts just described are immediately returned to their normal retracted positions by the springs I9, 30, and 48, respectively.

If the coin be of normal size it rst strikes a small abutment 54 in the path of travel of said coin between the plate I0 and the plate I5, and is deflected forwardly against the member 55 on the plate I0 at the forward edge thereof, which in turn delects Asaid coin downwardly, rearwardly, and toward the elongated track 22 assisted by the plate 50 attached to the plate I0 by the screws 56. The lower end of this plate 50 has a forward, ared end 59 which serves to direct said coin onto the track 22 on the plate l5. The scavenger blade 28 moves vertically in the space between the plate Il) and the plate 50. l

A small magnet 58 is secured to the plate l0 and serves to retard the progress of a coin or slug having therein some material capable of being influenced by a magnet, such as iron or steel. This retardation causes the coin or slug to travel a path which causes it to be rejected by and discharged from the machine.

In order to insure that a bent or oversize coin or slug will properly enter the discharge chute 52, we provide a plate 60 secured to the plate I0. The plate 60 is provided at its upper end with the outturned lip 6i, against which said coin may strike to cause it'to enter the chute 52. The plate 60 is secured to the plate I0 by the screws 62.

A normal five-cent piece rolling down the track 22 strikes against the forward, knife-edged portion 63 of the abutment L (see Fig. 2). This causes the coin to rebound and enter the chute 64 after striking the abutment M. The coin then strikes the upwardly extending plate 65 and is directed into the chute 66, through which it passes between the pole pieces 61 of the large magnet O. As the normal coin discharges from the chute t6 it passes over the abutment N and continues through the chute l to the vending operating mechanism of the machine. y

A spurious coin D, formed of iron or steel, passing into the machine will be slowed down by the small magnet 58 so that when the next-coin is inserted in the coin slot l2 the steel or iron slug will be discharged from the machine by the scavenger blade 28, operating as hereinbefore described. If the spurious coin be formed of type metal, when it strikes the knife edge portion 63 of the abutment L the softness of the metal will cause an imperceptible penetration of said knife edge into the metal, thereby slowing the coin down suciently so that said coin will strike on the right-hand side of the abutment M, as shown in Fig. 2. This will cause a discharge of said type metal coin similar to that just heretofore described.

If the spurious coin be formed of a genuine coin with a hole drilled therein into which is inserted a steel or iron piece, the small magnet 58 will retard the onward movement of said coin suiciently so as to cause said mutilated coin either to be discharged by the scavenger device heretofore de-v scribed, or tov proceed as heretofore described by either missing the abutment L altogether, or if striking the same, not hitting with sucient force to cause the coin to rebound so that it Will pass over the abutment M in order .to enter the chute 64. This mutilated coin, if not discharged by the scavenger device, will strike the abutment M on the right thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, rebound against the member 68, and pass to the left of the abutment N to direct it into the discharge apparatus of the machine.

If the coin contain copper or bronze it will, when of normal size, not be subject to retardation by the small magnet 58, but it will strike the abutment L, bounce back, and strike the abutment M on the left side thereof, causing said coin to enter the chute 64, strike the member 65, and enter chute 66, where it will be caused to pass between the pole pieces 6l of the large magnet O. 'Ihe operation of this large magnet will retard the progress of such a coin containing copper, or bronze sumciently to cause said coin to drop from the discharge end of the chute 66 and strike the abutment N on the left thereof, and be deflected there- 'by into the discharge mechanism of the vending machine.

We provide adjustment devices 69 and 'l0 for the abutments L and N which are adapted to operate in slots 'Il and 'I2 in the plate l0. By this means these abutments may be very accurately adjusted so as to operate with a high degree of eciency.

We claim:

1. A scavenger device for coin-operated mechanisms, comprising a stationary plate, a movable plate having a lower coin runway, said movable plate being mounted on said stationary plate and forming therewith a. coin raceway, a magnet mounted on said stationary plate above said coin runway on said movable plate and having its poles arranged to create a magnetic eld across said coin path so that disks containing magnetic material will be attracted and held within said magnetic field, a movable blade mounted on said stationary plate and arranged to move across said magnetic field when said movable plate is operated and thereby remove any object lodged Within said magnetic eld, means for successively operating said movable plate and movable blade,

and means for restoring them to their normal, re'

tracted positions.

2. A scavenger device for coin-operated mechanisms, comprising a casing having a coin-receiving slot, a stationary plate secured within said casing, a rocker arm pivoted to said plate and means for operating said rocker arm, a member on one end of said rocker arm,l a cam member on the opposite end of said rocker arm, a movable plate having a coin runway, said movable plate being mounted on said stationary plate and forming therewith a coin runway, a magnet mounted on said stationary plate and having its poles arranged to create a magnetic erld across said coin path so that disks containing magnetic material will be attracted and held within said magnetic field, a movable blade mounted on said stationary plate and arranged to m'ove across said magnetic eld, means consisting of said cam member for successively operating said movable plate and movable blade thereby removing any object lodged between said plates and magnetic ield, and means for restoring them to their normal, retracted positions.

3. A scavenger device for coin-operated mechanisms comprising a casing having a coin-receiving slot, a coin chute associated with said coinlreceiving slot, a. stationary plate secured within said casing, a rocker arm pivoted to said stationary plate, a member on one end of said rocker arm, means for operating said rocker arm, a cam member on the opposite end of said rocker arm, a movable plate mounted on said stationary plate and forming with said stationary plate said coin chute, a magnet mounted on said stationary plate and arranged so that disks containing magnetic material will be attracted and held within the magnetic field created by said magnet while said disks are in said coin chute, a movable blade mounted on said stationary plate and arranged to move between said movable plate and said stationary plate when said movable plate is operated and thereby remove any object lodged between said plates, said movable plate and said movable blade being operated in succession by said cam member when said rocker arm is operated, and means for restoring the rocker arm, movable plate, and movable bladeto their normal, retracted positions.

4. A scavenger device for coin-operated mechanisms, comprising a casing having a coin-receiving slot, a coin chute associated with said coin-receiving slot, a stationary plate secured within said casing, a movable plate mounted on said stationary plate and forming with said stationary plate said coin chute, a magnetmounted on said stationary plate and arranged so that disks containing magnetic material will be attracted and held within the magnetic field created by said magnet while said disks are in said coin chute, a movable blade mounted "on said stationary plate and arranged to move between said movable plate and said stationary plate when said movable plate is operated and thereby remove any objectv lodged between said plates, means for operating said movable plate and said movable blade in succession, and means for restoring the movable plate, movable blade, and the operating means therefor to their normal, retracted positions.

5. A scavenger device for coin-operated vmechanisms, comprising a casing having a coin-receiving slot, a stationary plate secured within said casing, a rocker arm pivoted to said plate, a member on one end of said rocker arm for operating said arm when engaged' by a coin inserted into the coin-receiving slot, a cam member on the opposite end o! said rocker arm, a movable plate mounted on said stationary plate and forming therewith a coin guide, a movable blade mounted on said stationary plate and arranged to move between said movable plate and said stationary plate when said movable plate is operated and thereby remove any object lodged between said plates, said movable plate and said movable blade being operated in succession by said cam when said rocker arm is operated, and means for restoring the rocker arm, movable plate, and movable blade to their normal, retracted positions after a coin has been passed through said coin-receiving slot.

BENJAMIN W. FRY. JOHN GOTIFRIED. 

